SL vs IND: Why were Yashasvi Jaiswal & Asitha Fernando fined heavily in middle of 2nd Test?

Yashasvi Jaiswal responded violently to Asitha Fernando’s provocation in Colombo.

The 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and India (SL vs IND) in Colombo has witnessed plenty of drama alongside thrilling red-ball cricket. While India have single-handedly dominated most of the series, the opening day of the 2nd Test marked a heated exchange between two players.

Yashasvi Jaiswal from India engaged in a heated contest with Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, and the incident immediately caught considerable attention. The altercation between the two players soon became a hot topic on social media, especially because there was brief physical contact.

The ICC had to intervene and investigate the matter, and subsequently announced disciplinary action against both cricketers involved on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal & Asitha Fernando fined 25% of their match fees

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando were both found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct, resulting in a fine of 25% of their match fees and one demerit point each.

The ICC found that both players had breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This rule relates to inappropriate physical contact with another player or person on the field during an international match.

Earlier, after getting out on Day 1, Jaiswal walked towards Fernando, and the two exchanged some words. Fernando then moved his head towards Jaiswal, and the Indian batter responded by moving his head forward as well, causing their heads to clash.

A Level 1 violation typically attracts, at a minimum, an official reprimand, a fine of at least 50% of the match fee, and one or two demerit points.

However, for Jaiswal and Fernando, this was their first such offence in the 24 months. Both players admitted their mistake and accepted the penalty proposed by the match referee.

The ICC noted that neither of them had been involved in any such confrontation or breach in the past; hence, they added just one demerit point to their 24-month disciplinary record cycle.

The crucial point is that if the players continue with this attitude, the ICC could suspend or ban any of them, as it has rules under which a player can face such action for accumulating four or more demerit points within a specified period.

However, these restrictions have certainly put an official end to the confrontation that had divided fans on social media into opposing camps. Amid this, the intense red-ball battle between India and Sri Lanka continues in Colombo. 

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